Hoover moves main 2016 Patriot Day ceremony to Monday, Sept. 12

The Hoover Fire Department has moved its annual Patriot Day ceremony that honors those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, to Monday, Sept. 12, for this year.

Each year the station invites area firefighters, police officers and Hoover residents to come together in remembrance of the first responders and civilians who were killed during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

This year's main ceremony originally was planned for Sunday, Sept. 11, but recently was moved to Sept. 12 so as not to interfere with Sunday morning church activities, Hoover Fire Department Executive Officer Rusty Lowe said.

The formal ceremony is Sept. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Hoover Fire Station No. 2 off Preserve Parkway, while short flag ceremonies still will be held at all stations on Sept. 11 at 8:50 a.m.

During the Sept. 12 event, multiple speakers will talk about the tragedy, and the national anthem will be performed. The ceremony will close with a bell-tolling ceremony, followed by refreshments. The bell-tolling ceremony is an old fire department tradition, Lowe said.

“You toll the bell at the end of somebody’s watch — typically their funeral,” he said. “We’re tolling the bell in memory of the firefighters that died when the building came down.”

In addition, this year the Simmons Middle School choir will perform. Lowe said he hopes having the choir sing will draw more people in addition to the 75 to 100 who usually attend.

“I think it’s very important for us to remember the lives of the first responders that were lost at the World Trade Center to remind people of the sacrifices they made,” he said. “It’s a good holiday to remember that we are vulnerable, and we should do everything we can to minimize our risk while we’re out there saving lives and serving the public.”

This article was updated at 3:02 p.m. on Sept. 7 with the change in date of the main ceremony and a clarification about the choir that will be performing.